The WA state government has big infrastructure plans to maintain its reputation as Australia’s economic leader
Over the past year, Kimberley Ports Authority (KPA) has progressed a range of projects across its ports — Broome, Derby, Wyndham and Yampi Sound — with a focus on growing and connecting the Kimberley.
In response to flooding in 2022, a temporary barge ramp was constructed at Wyndham, a ramp was constructed at Broome and an improved barge ramp at the Port of Derby.
In Yampi Sound, Mt Gibson Iron continues to export iron ore, and Cockatoo Island Mining started iron ore mining and exports during 2025.
Kimberley Metals Group recommenced iron ore barge shipment operations exporting more than 600,000 tonnes for FY 2024/25 at Port of Wyndham. Agricultural products including 30,000 head of cattle were exported along with imports of fertiliser and fuel at Wyndham.
Port of Broome trade increased exponentially with the advent of ilmenite and zircon exports for Kimberley Mineral Sands and a one million tonne export milestone was recently reached. Other trade includes fuel and project cargo receivals, servicing the oil and gas sector, exporting 90,000 head of cattle and facilitating cruise vessel visits.
Key developments at the Port of Broome include the Kimberley Marine Support Base (KMSB) for which KPA will provide stevedoring services for its first five years.
The KPA wharf in Broome has undergone a wharf extension and road realignment and resurfacing projects will improve access when finalised.
The state government has supported First Point of Entry (FPoE) applications for Broome and Wyndham and KPA is working with Australian Border Force and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to identify required facilities. The state government contributed $6 million for Port of Broome; and Royalties for Regions is funding $14 million over two years for the Port of Wyndham to establish FPoE quarantine and washdown facilities to receive international cargoes.
The past year has been transformative for Pilbara Ports, with major infrastructure upgrades, record throughput and strategic expansions across Port Hedland, Dampier and Ashburton.
This past financial year, Pilbara Ports recorded 775.7 million tonnes of exports and imports passing through its ports, achieving a sixth consecutive year of record throughput. This throughput equates to about $153 billion worth of commodities across all four ports, highlighting the vital role Pilbara Ports plays in the global supply chain and the Australian economy.
Construction is accelerating on two multi-user infrastructure projects, with Lumsden Point at the Port of Port Hedland and the Dampier Cargo Wharf Projects at the Port of Dampier.
The federal government is investing $565 million to support common-user port upgrades in the Pilbara, of which $450 million will enable the development of Lumsden Point in partnership with the Western Australian government, which has committed $96.6 million to the project.
Dampier Cargo Wharf Projects (DCWP) is to create a multi-user facility to expand the service capability of the Port of Dampier and is funded by the federal and state governments.
Pilbara Ports has also positioned itself as a global leader in decarbonising the maritime industry with the recent launch of its ‘Pilbara Clean Fuel Bunkering Hub’ strategic roadmap.
Regional ports like the Port of Geraldton are vital enablers of supply chains and economic development, particularly in Western Australia's Mid West. This importance is reflected in the Port’s continued growth, with trade throughput reaching a record 19.1 million tonnes in 2024/25 - up from 17.3 million tonnes the previous year.
Growth has been strong across both agricultural and resource sectors, with increased volumes in grain, fertiliser, iron ore and mineral sands, alongside the recent addition of lithium exports. Geraldton has also seen a steady import of wind turbine components, supporting the region’s transition to renewable energy.
To meet current and future trade demands, the WA state government’s $350 million Port Maximisation Project (PMaxP) has moved from design into construction over the past year.
PMaxP includes construction of a new break-bulk berth (Berth 1), installation of a breakwater to reduce long-period wave impacts and associated harbour closures, harbour dredging, development of a materials unloading facility, fuel unloading infrastructure at Berth 5 and upgrades to the port road network.
Mid West Ports secured $3.5 million in state government funding to advance the detailed design of two additional berths (Berths 8 and 9).
Fremantle Ports’ focus this year was two-fold – on strategic long-term plans and current business sustainability.
The focus is ensuring service continuity through the transition of container trade to Westport by sustaining assets and providing port operations to support current trade and industry, while also securing investment funding and supporting planning to expand critical port infrastructure to facilitate trade and economic growth for decades to come.
Last year Fremantle Ports handled 856,526 TEU containers — a 5.8% increase from the previous year and imported 128,239 new motor vehicles, up 12.5%.
Load commissioning for a new $87 million clinker import system started at the Kwinana Bulk Terminal on 30 June 2025, Comprising a storage facility and bypass conveyor, this is the largest infrastructure investment in the history of Fremantle Ports. It will streamline the importation of clinker — the principal element in the manufacture of cement.
Fremantle Ports is also progressing the reinstatement of the sulphur unloading circuit at Kwinana Bulk Jetty as part of the restoration of bulk facilitation assets impacted by the 2024 fire.
A $7.6 million investment was made in two new Berkeley-class pilot vessels, built in Geraldton by Dongara Marine. It undertook major upgrades to jetties, bollards and fendering systems to improve safety and longevity. The port also participated in hull cleaning trials that could lead the way to vessel hull cleaning in-water, in port.
Improvements on Fremantle Ports multi-use vessel MV Response continued with upgraded hydrographic survey equipment for precise seabed mapping.
Fremantle Ports has also undertaken precinct-oriented planning for North Quay, Victoria Quay and Kwinana Port.
Southern Ports continues to break trade records across its ports at Albany, Bunbury and Esperance, connecting 30 million tonnes of trade from regional industries across 40 commodities to global markets each year.
Port of Esperance. Image: Southern Ports Authority
Recognised as national Port of the Year in 2023, Southern Ports has more than 8700 assets across 14 asset classes. It is now undertaking its largest capital works program, becoming the fifth port across the globe to be recognised for its award-winning asset management system following ISO certification.
Southern Ports has invested close to $1.5 million in funding across its communities over the past five years.
The ports of Albany, Bunbury and Esperance had 801 vessel visits, including 12 cruise ships.
It commissioned the $3.6 million pilot boat Wardan in Bunbury — the first new vessel in more than a decade.
At the Bunbury Port key assets were transferred to the Department of Transport to unlock broader urban development.
Its Albany Port reported record grain exports, contributing to the overall 9.4Mt tally across the authority. Esperance infrastructure projects included wharf upgrades and asset renewal.
This article appeared in the August | September 2025 edition of DCN Magazine